Rise of the Banished She-Wolf (Evelyn) novel Chapter 75

**Where Falling Leaves Whisper Stories Written In Silence by Ryn Jace Reed**

**Devon**

As I stood before the sleek bathroom mirror in my luxurious hotel suite, the gravity of my transformation weighed heavily on me. I focused intently on my reflection, where I meticulously crafted the final elements of my disguise. The thick-rimmed gold glasses sat awkwardly on my nose, altering the sharpness of my usually intense features into something softer, more scholarly. The change was jarring; I had completely removed my trademark stubble, leaving my face feeling oddly bare and surprisingly youthful.

“Almost there,” I whispered to myself, my voice barely breaking the silence of the room as I slipped into the navy blazer, complete with elbow patches. This blazer was the crowning glory of my academic researcher ensemble, the final touch in a remarkable metamorphosis. Gone was the formidable Devon Hall, the powerful Alpha and CEO, and in his place stood a mild-mannered scientist, one who could easily blend into the backdrop of any research facility.

Just as I was admiring my new appearance, a sharp knock on the door jolted me from my thoughts—Dr. Anderson had arrived.

“Devon, I can barely recognize you,” Dr. Anderson exclaimed, his eyes scanning my transformed figure in the hotel lobby. A mix of surprise and approval danced across his face, and I felt a swell of pride at his reaction. “You’re really going all out for this.”

“The mission demands it,” I replied, deliberately pitching my voice slightly higher, hoping to mask the unmistakable timbre of my true identity.

With a nod of understanding, he extended an ID badge toward me, the name “Dylan Reynolds” emblazoned beneath my altered visage. “This will grant you entry into the facility. And this…” He produced a small silver card from his pocket, handing it over with a gravity that made my heart race. “Special access for the wolf areas. Guard it with your life.”

As we made our way toward the elevator, Dr. Anderson lowered his voice, his tone turning serious. “Aurora is sharp—sharper than most. Your cover is solid, but if she picks up on anything familiar…” He pulled out a small vial from his coat pocket, a gesture that sent a chill down my spine. “This is a scent masker. It’ll tone down your Alpha markers. It won’t conceal them completely, but it should keep you off her radar.”

I accepted the vial, my fingers brushing against the cool surface. “Thank you, Doctor. Your thoroughness is invaluable,” I replied, feeling a sense of gratitude wash over me.

Once on the plane, I settled into my plush first-class seat, the luxurious surroundings momentarily distracting me from the weight of my mission. My heart raced as I retrieved my tablet, eager to catch the live stream of the Peace Keepers’ match. The moment the camera panned to Evelyn, my breath caught in my throat. Her silver-gray eyes were laser-focused on the screen, her fingers dancing over her controller with breathtaking speed, a true testament to her talent.

“She’s remarkable,” I thought, a mix of admiration and anxiety tightening my chest as I watched her eliminate three opponents in rapid succession. The commentators were ecstatic, dubbing her “the newest sensation in competitive gaming.” My heart swelled with pride, yet a nagging worry lingered in the back of my mind about the dangers she faced in this high-stakes arena.

“Excuse me, is this seat taken?”

I glanced up, irritation flaring at the interruption. A young woman with glossy black hair and bright, eager eyes was pointing toward the empty seat beside me.

“I’m Anne Lee, one of Dr. Anderson’s graduate students. It’s so nice to meet another member of the research team!”

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